board and governance
As an incorporated association Ermha is governed by a board elected by members of the association. Board members, including office bearers, are volunteers who are committed to keeping Ermha financially sound and at the forefront of community mental health. They do this by deciding the policies Ermha’s management follows in the day-to-day running of the organisation.
membership
Ermha’s members are vital to the organisation. Our members come from all kinds of backgrounds – they are clients, carers, employees of Ermha, and others with an interest in the mental health of the community. Members vote to decide who joins Ermha’s board and through their votes determine Ermha’s course. Ermha welcomes new association members and becoming a member is simple. Please call Ermha head office for more information on 1300 ermha1 (1300 376 421). Alternatively, you can go hereto register your interest in becoming a member.
Ermha’s board
Susan Meyerink, President
Susan Meyerink has been President of Ermha for two years and a Board member for four years. She has over 10 years experience working in recruiting and is currently managing a Job Services Australia employment agency. She thrives on assisting employers to find the right staff for their needs. Her background in welfare, plus a post graduate degree in bereavement counselling enables her to work with people when they are at their most vulnerable. Susan is passionate about making a difference to those who suffer with mental health issues.
Susan Meyerink has been President of Ermha for two years and a Board member for four years. She has over 10 years experience working in recruiting and is currently managing a Job Services Australia employment agency. She thrives on assisting employers to find the right staff for their needs. Her background in welfare, plus a post graduate degree in bereavement counselling enables her to work with people when they are at their most vulnerable. Susan is passionate about making a difference to those who suffer with mental health issues.
Sam Afra, Vice President
Born in Beirut, Sam stems from successful generations of traders who left their marks in the trade and custom services sectors. After secondary college Sam studied law & banking. His banking career finished in 1984 when he migrated to Australia to escape the war in Lebanon. Sam was a councillor with the City of Casey from 1997 to 2000, is a Justice of the Peace, and sits on various boards and committees. Currently he is the Dandenong Electorate Office Manager. Sam lives in Endeavour Hills with his wife and children.
Born in Beirut, Sam stems from successful generations of traders who left their marks in the trade and custom services sectors. After secondary college Sam studied law & banking. His banking career finished in 1984 when he migrated to Australia to escape the war in Lebanon. Sam was a councillor with the City of Casey from 1997 to 2000, is a Justice of the Peace, and sits on various boards and committees. Currently he is the Dandenong Electorate Office Manager. Sam lives in Endeavour Hills with his wife and children.
Maureen Goodman, Board Secretary
Maureen has been a Board Member for 8 years. However Ermha has benefited from her work for over 25 years. She was a founding member of Ermha who worked as a volunteer at Dandenong Pyschiatric Centre. Her work in mental health began after a family member was diagnosed with a mental illness. She was also a member of the Red Cross Pals program and visited the seriously mentally ill. Maureen teaches crafts at Wellsprings for Women and lives in Dandenong with her husband, John.
Maureen has been a Board Member for 8 years. However Ermha has benefited from her work for over 25 years. She was a founding member of Ermha who worked as a volunteer at Dandenong Pyschiatric Centre. Her work in mental health began after a family member was diagnosed with a mental illness. She was also a member of the Red Cross Pals program and visited the seriously mentally ill. Maureen teaches crafts at Wellsprings for Women and lives in Dandenong with her husband, John.
Frits van Scheepen, Treasurer
Frits has lived and worked in The Netherlands, England, Wales, and Australia. In addition to English, his second language, he is fluent in both Dutch and German and is still NAATI accredited. Frits saw service in the Dutch Army. As a commissioned officer in the RAAF, he specialised in the Administrative category. Management experience in sales, training, finance, administration, and counselling has equipped Frits with an ability to tackle a wide variety of tasks. Now retired, he lives with his wife of 45 years in the foothills of the Dandenongs.
Frits has lived and worked in The Netherlands, England, Wales, and Australia. In addition to English, his second language, he is fluent in both Dutch and German and is still NAATI accredited. Frits saw service in the Dutch Army. As a commissioned officer in the RAAF, he specialised in the Administrative category. Management experience in sales, training, finance, administration, and counselling has equipped Frits with an ability to tackle a wide variety of tasks. Now retired, he lives with his wife of 45 years in the foothills of the Dandenongs.
Pat Dillon
Pat attended an Ermha AGM about 23 years ago when she was working as an electorate officer in Dandenong for the Federal Member for Holt, Michael Duffy. She became very interested in the work a small number of people were doing to improve the lives of people with mental illness (the group that grew to become Ermha). Pat was asked to join the board by Harry Karslake, an Ermha past President, and has been a member ever since. She takes pride in both the way Ermha has grown, and its dedicated staff and management.
Pat attended an Ermha AGM about 23 years ago when she was working as an electorate officer in Dandenong for the Federal Member for Holt, Michael Duffy. She became very interested in the work a small number of people were doing to improve the lives of people with mental illness (the group that grew to become Ermha). Pat was asked to join the board by Harry Karslake, an Ermha past President, and has been a member ever since. She takes pride in both the way Ermha has grown, and its dedicated staff and management.
Peter McDonald
Peter has lived in Melbourne all his life except for army service during the 1960’s. His work life involved transport and warehousing. He became involved in mental health when a family member was diagnosed with schizophrenia about fifteen years ago. Since that time Peter has been interested in advocating for improvements in the mental health system. He has contributed to the board particularly from a carers perspective.
Peter has lived in Melbourne all his life except for army service during the 1960’s. His work life involved transport and warehousing. He became involved in mental health when a family member was diagnosed with schizophrenia about fifteen years ago. Since that time Peter has been interested in advocating for improvements in the mental health system. He has contributed to the board particularly from a carers perspective.
Rhonda Okey
A volunteer at Ermha’s Op Shop for over seven years, Rhonda is now Op Shop Team Leader. Both roles have given her great satisfaction and enjoyment. Her work with Ermha expanded in 2006 when she joined the board, a position she finds stimulating and rewarding. Her life has become very busy with the arrival of two grandchildren and she has many hobbies including gardening, crosswords and fishing. She has lived in Noble Park for over 30 years.
A volunteer at Ermha’s Op Shop for over seven years, Rhonda is now Op Shop Team Leader. Both roles have given her great satisfaction and enjoyment. Her work with Ermha expanded in 2006 when she joined the board, a position she finds stimulating and rewarding. Her life has become very busy with the arrival of two grandchildren and she has many hobbies including gardening, crosswords and fishing. She has lived in Noble Park for over 30 years.
Norma Seip
Norma comes to the Board with a background in the education and training sector. She is also a grief counsellor and civil celebrant. She has lived in the Dandenong area for 35 years and has always been involved in community work, often working with the most vulnerable people in our society. She lists her achievements as being the very best partner, parent, mentor and friend she can be, and feels privileged and honoured to have been able to share in the lives of many people. Norma says “I believe everyone is born to be somebody special”.
Norma comes to the Board with a background in the education and training sector. She is also a grief counsellor and civil celebrant. She has lived in the Dandenong area for 35 years and has always been involved in community work, often working with the most vulnerable people in our society. She lists her achievements as being the very best partner, parent, mentor and friend she can be, and feels privileged and honoured to have been able to share in the lives of many people. Norma says “I believe everyone is born to be somebody special”.
Karan Smith
Karan has been a member of the management team at St John of God Pinelodge Clinic since 2006, in the position of Director of Mission. As part of her role Karan has responsibility for the development of the organisation’s social outreach activities. Karan brings to the Ermha Board a diverse background. She has worked in health care and management in various capacities in Australia, and also in Pakistan where she was engaged in adult education, formation and community development work for 12 years.
Karan has been a member of the management team at St John of God Pinelodge Clinic since 2006, in the position of Director of Mission. As part of her role Karan has responsibility for the development of the organisation’s social outreach activities. Karan brings to the Ermha Board a diverse background. She has worked in health care and management in various capacities in Australia, and also in Pakistan where she was engaged in adult education, formation and community development work for 12 years.
madcap, MH advice line etc
